On the morning of Oct. 2, 1972, a Wilkes-Barre Transit System bus rented by the Lackawanna County commissioners left downtown Scranton for the city's Minooka section, making stops to drop off and pick up passengers along the way.

The County of Lackawanna Transit System was born.

On Thursday, the anniversary of the agency's incorporation as a municipal authority on Nov. 1, 1972, COLTS employees were joined by government officials and members of the public to celebrate 40 years of modern public transit in Lackawanna County with birthday cake, balloons and brief speeches.

Speaking to about two dozen people at the COLTS complex on North South Road, state Sen. John Blake recalled how excited he was as a 12-year-old that he could get on a bus in Archbald and ride to Scranton.

"I'm not sure all the people we represent appreciate how important this service is in moving people to much-needed health care services, getting people back and forth to work and, obviously, being able to support our small business establishments throughout the county," Mr. Blake said. "It is a vital service."

County government stepped in to fill the void after the private Scranton Transit Co. ceased operations in 1971, leaving most of the county without bus service. After a rough first couple of years, COLTS flourished and now carries nearly 2 million passengers annually.

"We have come a long way since 1972, and we feel we are moving in the right direction," Executive Director Robert Fiume said.

The agency has diversified its 35-bus fleet with the addition of 14 fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles and may diversify some more by adding buses powered by compressed natural gas, he said. COLTS has a new logo and color scheme, and earlier this year implemented its first major route restructuring since the 1990s.

In the coming months, COLTS will unveil a new automatic vehicle locator system that will allow the public to track buses on the Internet, Mr. Fiume said. Eventually, people will be able to have text messages about their bus' location sent to them.

Commissioner Corey O'Brien said he and fellow majority Commissioner Jim Wansacz see COLTS as an essential part of their economic development initiative. One of the reasons for the new route structure was to provide more access to local businesses to get workers to and from their jobs, he said.

"COLTS can be an important tool in that economic development toolbox to ensure there is one less barrier to entry for those companies looking to locate and grow right here in Lackawanna County," Mr. O'Brien said.

Contact the writer: dsingleton@ timesshamrock.comOfficials gather for the 40th anniversary of COLTS at its headquarters at 800 North South Road in Scranton. From left: county Commissioner Corey O'Brien, COLTS Executive Director Robert Fiume, Commissioner Jim Wansacz, state Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, state Sen. John Blake and Commissioner Patrick O'Malley.

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